The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has denied claims that it’s officers took
part in Sunday’s attack on civilians in Abyei Administrative Area, which left more than 36
civilians killed.
The SSPDF Division 3 commander in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, Gen. Akuei Ajou Akuei
said their soldiers were not part of the attack which was largely blamed on armed youth from
Twic County of Warrap state.
“It is not good to spread rumours here and there. What is happening betwen Ngok Dinka
and Twic County is politically motivated, I recently went to talk with chiefs, intellectuals and I
dissuaded them to stop fighting but they refused,” Ajou told journalists in Aweil town on
Monday.
The revenge attack in Abyei came after fighting between the two communities in Ayuok area
of Twic County on November 13 th left 34 civilians killed including one SSPDF soldier.
“The politicians of Ngok Dinka who are living overseas and within the country are peddling
rumors on line from abroad and within that Gen. Ajou is the one who killed people using his
forces stationed in Ngok land, but how can I kill my own people, I am a trained officer doing
a national duty of protecting the property and lives of all nationals,” Ajou said.
Akuei suggested the conflict between the two communities to be resolved by the ad-hoc
committee head by Vice President for Service Cluster Hussein Akol Abdelbagi.
The committee was appointed earlier this year by President Salva Kiir to investigate the root
causes of the conflict which stems from boundary dispute between the two communities.
Another person blamed for allegedly organizing the attack in Abyei is spiritual leader Gai
Machiek whom authorities in Abyei blame for being close to renegade Gen. Stephen Buay
who defected from the SSPDF.
Machiek who is based in Ajak-Kuach of Twic County where the attackers are believed to
have come from denied being part of the planned attack on Abyei.
“I am not even in the army, I am a spiritual leader. What is happening between the youth in
Twic County and Abyei is uncalled for. I would like to tell the officials in Abyei to stop
spreading what cannot solve the conflict,” he said.
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